SIPTU to press ahead with Monday's strike

SIPTU officials at CIÉ are determined to press ahead with strike action next Monday despite hinting they might be willing to enter into talks over the weekend.

Following a four-hour meeting yesterday the SIPTU strike committee decided to back their colleagues at the National Bus and Rail Workers union and engage in the four-hour stoppage.

Union leaders have welcomed the appointment of the independent chairman to oversee talks with CIÉ.

But Dublin branch secretary Tony Tobin says the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan must reach some compromise or the unions will be forced to defend the positions of its members.